UK Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) for
Victims of Domestic Abuse
UK Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) for Victims of Domestic Abuse
(Transnational Marriage Abandonment)
If you were married to a British or settled partner and then stranded overseas through abuse, coercion
or deception, you may qualify to return to the UK with Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE).
At UK Visa Consultants, we specialise in helping survivors of domestic violence and transnational
marriage abandonment (TMA) secure ILE. We work with empathy, discretion and urgency for your re
entry in the UK.
Who Qualifies for ILE Indefinite Leave to Enter?
You may be eligible if you can show:
You were married to or in a genuine relationship with a British citizen, Irish citizen, or settled
partner (ILR holder).
You previously lived in the UK with your partner.
You were abandoned or stranded abroad due to domestic abuse, including deception or coercion.
You are applying from outside the UK under the Victim of Domestic Abuse.
Good to know: The Home Office accepts a “reasonable likelihood” standard, meaning multiple forms of
supporting evidence may be used.
What You Receive
Successful applicants are granted:
Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE)— permanent settlement from the moment you re-enter the UK.
Secure digital proof of status (eVisa), enabling access to work, healthcare and services.
The same settlement rights as those granted ILR inside the UK under the domestic abuse rules.
How UK Visa Consultants Help
We provide end-to-end support:
Confidential case review – an initial consultation to check eligibility, safeguarding issues, and
evidence gaps.
Evidence planning – drafting your personal statement and advising on the best supporting
documentation.
Application abroad – preparing and lodging the ILE application under the Victim of Domestic Abuse
route, and guiding you through biometrics at a visa application centre.
Documents and Evidence Checklist
You may be asked to provide:
Identity & relationship: passports (even expired), marriage or civil partnership certificate, children’s
birth certificates (if applicable).
Proof of UK residence: tenancy agreements, council tax bills, bank statements, NHS/GP letters,
school records.
Evidence of abandonment or abuse: your detailed statement, communications showing
deception, letters from NGOs/charities, witness statements, court or police documents (if
available).
Ongoing UK ties: embassy correspondence, evidence of attempted return, letters from friends or
family in the UK.
(If some documents are missing, we will help identify alternatives.)
Why Choose UK Visa Consultants?
Specialist expertise – in ILE and domestic abuse immigration routes.
Trauma-informed approach – safeguarding is always our priority.
Multilingual support – services available in English, Urdu and Punjabi
Fast, discreet action – urgent consultations and immediate evidence planning.
Book Your Confidential Consultation
We offer paid, confidential initial consultations to assess your case and explain your options clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) for Domestic Abuse and Domestic
Violence Victims
Yes. The ILE route is designed for victims of
domestic abuse and transnational marriage abandonment who were abandoned overseas, even if their
visa expired.
No. This is a survivor-led process. Victims of
domestic violence do not need the abuser’s involvement to make an ILE application.
No. While police or medical
evidence can help, it is not mandatory. The Home Office considers a wide range of evidence such as
personal statements, messages, or letters from domestic abuse support organisations.
You will return to the UK as a settled person with
Indefinite Leave to Enter. Our team will guide you through status confirmation, safeguarding referrals, and
any further family or immigration applications.
Yes. Victims of domestic
violence or abuse who were coerced, tricked, or stranded abroad may qualify under the ILE route.
Domestic abuse is not
limited to physical violence. Emotional abuse, financial control, coercive behaviour, and abandonment
are all recognised forms of domestic abuse in UK immigration law.
Yes. Many
victims face domestic violence in the UK before being abandoned overseas. These cases are explicitly
covered.
The key is showing that
domestic abuse or abandonment occurred. We can advise you on accepted evidence in your case.
Yes. Dependent children
affected by domestic abuse or abandonment may be included in your ILE application. The Home Office
gives significant weight to the best interests of children.
Yes. The ILE domestic abuse route applies
equally to men and women. Any survivor of domestic violence, coercion, or transnational marriage
abandonment may qualify.
